Conjugated donor-acceptor (D-A) supramolecule catalyst for visible-light-driven photocatalytic removal of bromate in water

To guarantee drinking water security, removal of bromate (BrO₃ ⁻) has garnered plenty of attention in water treatment. In current study, we have developed a novel conjugated donor-acceptor (D-A) photocatalyst (4,4′'-bis(diphenylamino)-[1,1′:4′,1′'-terphenyl]-2′,5′-dicarbaldehyde, BDTD) with supramolecule architecture...

Reversible low-field magnetocaloric effect in Ni-Mn-In-based Heusler alloys

Ni-Mn-X (X = In, Sn, and Sb) based Heusler alloys show a strong potential for magnetic refrigeration owing to their large magnetocaloric effect (MCE) associated with first-order magnetostructural transition. However, the irreversibility of the MCE under low field change of 0–1 T directly hinders its application as an efficient magnetic coolant....

The collaborative autonomous shipping experiment (Case): Motivations, theory, infrastructure, and experimental challenges

The future autonomous ships will be operating in an environment where different autonomous and non-autonomous vessels with different characteristics exist. These vessels are owned by different parties and each uses its owned unique approaches for guidance and navigation. The Collaborative Autonomous Shipping Experiment (CASE) aims at...

Tuning the magneto-elastic transition of (Mn,Fe,V)₂(P,Si) alloys to low magnetic field applications

The first-order magneto-elastic transition in the Mn–Fe–P–Si alloys can be tailored by vanadium substitution. Alloys with a suitable V substitution provide an excellent magnetocaloric effect with minor hysteresis in low magnetic fields up to 1.2 T. Mössbauer measurements show that the hyperfine field is reduced by V substitution. Neutron...

Achievements and prospects of functional pavement: Materials and structures

In order to further promote the development of functional pavement technology, a Special Issue of “Achievements and Prospects of Functional Pavement” has been proposed by a group of guest editors. To reach this objective, articles included in this Special Issue are related to different aspects of functional pavement, including green roads to...

Identifying the key risk factors of mega infrastructure projects from an extended sustainable development perspective

Mega infrastructure projects (MIPs) have become increasingly important to the realization of sustainable development in China. Sustainable development is a process of dynamic balance, and coordinating the triple bottom line (the environmental, social, and economic dimensions) will enable more sustainable development of MIPs. However, previous...

New innovations in pavement materials and engineering: A review on pavement engineering research 2021

Sustainable and resilient pavement infrastructure is critical for current economic and environmental challenges. In the past 10 years, the pavement infrastructure strongly supports the rapid development of the global social economy. New theories, new methods, new technologies and new materials related to pavement engineering are emerging....

Adaptive neural sliding mode control for heterogeneous ship formation keeping considering uncertain dynamics and disturbances

This paper investigates the formation keeping problem of heterogeneous ships with underactuated inputs, uncertain dynamics, and environmental disturbances. The control objective is to make the heterogeneous followers keep the desired formation while tracking a leader. To solve the problem effectively, a novel virtual leader–follower formation...

Experimental Testing and Constitutive Modelling of Pavement Materials

Incentive initiatives on energy-efficient renovation of existing buildings towards carbon–neutral blueprints in China: Advancements, challenges and prospects

Under China's national strategy of carbon neutrality by 2060, it is urgently necessary and challenging for the governments to proactively explore policy tools to facilitate energy-efficient renovation of existing buildings. Currently, a considerable number of studies have been conducted on building energy-efficient renovation and its...

The change in temporal trend and spatial distribution of CO₂ emissions of China's public and commercial buildings

The CO₂ emission mitigation of the commercial and public building sector (P&C) is critical for achieving China's carbon peak and carbon neutrality. Analyzing changes in CO₂ emissions and their driving factors from temporal and spatial perspective provides insights for developing equitable and effective...

The Effect of Psychological Scarcity on Health Decisions of Rural Residents in China: Preliminary Results

Economic studies have shown that living in poverty may produce a subjective feeling of scarcity, which affects people's cognitive functions and decision-making. Understanding this mechanism could inform healthcare designers on designing inclusive health interventions by considering the psychological scarcity and limited cognitive resources of...